3 Ways to Get Over Your Most Annoying Hair Struggles

Whether you wake up with awkward bedhead dents or overextended the life of your blowout so long that your roots are basically 99% dry shampoo, you'll love these hairstyle hacks, created by NYC hairstylist Cash Lawless, that hide your most annoying hair probs.

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The Struggle: Greasy Roots

Trying to make your look last half a week before you break out a sweat in gym? Instead of overloading on dry shampoo, use greasy roots to your best advantage by creating a super-cute, super-easy half-up bun.

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Step 1: Create a half-up, half-down look.

Brush the front section of your hair back, starting at your hairline. This helps distribute some of the oil at your roots so you don't look like you're wearing a helmet. Then use your fingers to pull your hair into a half-up, half-down look — you know, the one you rock basically every weekend. Use a thick elastic to secure the ponytail tightly — the oil will make the elastic move a bit so split your ponytail and pull to tighten, says Lawless.

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Step 2: Twist into a bun.

Twist the ponytail and wrap it around the elastic to create a basic bun. Secure the ends with bobby pins, crisscrossing them for budge-free hold.

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Step 3: Add volume.

To give your ends more body and definition, and to create contrast against a slick crown, mist the length of your hair with a texturizing spray like Paul Mitchell Neon Sugar Spray. Then scrunch and fluff with your hands, coaxing out your natural texture. Have zero bend to your hair? "Before you spray, grab a wide-barrel curling iron and randomly wrap a few sections of hair loosely around the barrel," says Lawless.

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The Struggle: Flat Roots

When you wake up and realize your roots have flattened themselves against your scalp, it's easy to think that you have to hit the shower and get that volume back. But instead of trying to beef up your hair, just go with the flow with a super-sleek ponytail.

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Step 1: Create a middle part.

"Flat roots are the biggest complaint for on-the-go girls," says Lawless, who says to first use a wide-tooth comb to create a straight, center part and detangle any knots. If your hair won't stay put, spritz it with a workable spray like Paul Mitchell Neon Sugar Confection for hold and control.

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Step 2: Form a low ponytail.

Brush your hair back into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. Once you've secured the ponytail, hide the elastic by wrapping a small section of hair around the base of your look. Slip in some pins to secure the ends.

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Step 3: Sleeken up.

This style is all about shine and polish, so get rid of any flyways with a smoothing cream like Paul Mitchell Neon Sugar Cream. To keep from overloading with product, rub a tiny amount between your palms and lightly pat along the sides of your head, working backwards from the nape of your neck up to your hairline and then down the length of your ponytail.

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The Struggle: Bedhead Dents

Maybe you slept weird, or you finally took down your top knot. Either way, you've got out of control bends and zero patience. Don't worry, that texture can totally work for you in an easy braided look.

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Step 1: Give it a shake.

Define waves and make those bedhead dents look purposeful with a texturizing product like Paul Mitchell Neon Sugar Twist. Just rub a bit between your fingertips and scrunch through the length of your hair for that coveted piece-y, beach-y vibe.

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Step 2: Create two braids.

Flip your hair to one side, and braid a small section right above your ears toward your crown. Secure the braid a few inches before you hit the ends, and repeat this braid on the other side of your head. Then, instead of securing the second braid, use a free hand to create a center part and pull the braid back to meet the first plait. Now, secure the two together with an elastic or a few colorful bobby pins — go nuts and play around with it, says Lawless.

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Step 3: Add texture.

Apply a small amount of texturizing spray, like Paul Mitchell Neon Sugar Spray, to the ends of your hair and tousle it up a bit. "This adds texture, seamlessly blending the ends of the braids, the length of hair, plus any obvious dents," says Lawless.

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